Buckley, Masuk zip Lauralton Hall to stay unbeaten

Mike Cardillo

Updated 12:41 am, Thursday, May 2, 2013

MONROE -- So far this spring the Masuk softball team has done all within its power to serve notice it's the team to beat in the SWC.

The Panthers, ranked No. 2 in the latest state poll, improved to 13-0 with a 5-0 win over Lauralton Hall Wednesday afternoon.

Masuk has now outscored its opponents 129-7.

"This is the most complete team that I've had in a long time 1-9," Panthers coach Jacqui Sheftz said. "We're all capable of putting the ball in play and making things happen."

This season has been three years in the making for Masuk.

Most of the players began starting on the varsity level in 2011 when they were only sophomores and freshmen.

Even when the Panthers were young and expected to take their lumps, they had success in the postseason -- reaching the Class LL semifinals each of the last two seasons.

This year, however, there's a different feel within the team.

"The team overall is playing with a lot more confidence," said senior first baseman Melissa Peet, who had an RBI single as part of Masuk's five-run fourth. "That was our goal last year, but last year we were having a hard time pulling that off. This year it's coming naturally. All the years we've been playing together is paying off."

It also helps that the Panthers have a true leader and ace in the pitching circle in the form of Tatum Buckley. The junior righty pitched a perfect game earlier in the year vs. Lauralton Hall and Wednesday she allowed only one hit and two baserunners -- both in the fifth inning.

"Masuk is a great team," Lauralton Hall coach Theresa Napolitano said. "That's why they're ranked. They're solid. They've stayed together. They've got a great leader on the mound in Tatum. She doesn't just throw the ball hard, she leads this team. Behind her they make the plays."

The Panthers got all the runs they'd need in the fourth off Crusaders' sophomore starter Haley Congdon.

Steph Appelberg opened the frame with a double, followed by Ashley Fedor's bunt single. Peet drove in Appelberg with a single to make it 1-0.

"We feed off each other," Fedor said. "One starts and it feeds down to the rest."

Buckley lost her perfect game in the fifth when she hit Jess Napolitano to open the inning. With one out Alex Moleski squeezed a ball through the Panthers' infield for the lone Crusaders' hit. Buckley retired the final eight batters in order and finished with 11 strikeouts.

"Tatum puts us in a position game-in, game-out to be extremely competitive," Sheftz said. "Any time your pitcher is giving up no hits or one hit in a ballgame, you know you'll have a chance."